A Six-Man Computerized Audiometer

A computerized audiometer and its validation will be discussed. The computer system was specifically designed for mass testing in hearing conservation programs and is capable of obtaining up to six audiometric thresholds concurrently using “manual audiometric” methodologies, modified in accordance with signal-detection theory to increase threshold reliability. As part of the testing procedure, the subjects' response patterns are evaluated according to specific criteria to assess the validity and the reliability of the obtained thresholds. Following the termination of testing, pertinent personal statistics and threshold values are stored by the computer on data cassettes for subsequent processing by a central data storage and retrieval system. Emphasis will be placed on the procedural aspects of this study and on the results which demonstrate the acceptability and reliability of the testing method.